July 14: Teller County, led by John Drummond

We had 13 participants (including John). All together, we had 68 species of birds. We found most of the woodpeckers we were looking for including Red-naped Sapsucker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Northern Flicker. The highlight of the day was a Red-headed Woodpecker!! (We also had five species of flycatcher.)

Birds: Mallard – 3, Turkey Vulture – 3, Red-tailed Hawk – 3, American Kestrel – 3, Spotted Sandpiper – 2, Band-tailed Pigeon – 8, Eurasian Collared-Dove – 2, Mourning Dove – 4, Broad-tailed Hummingbird – 5, Red-headed Woodpecker – 2, Williamson’s Sapsucker – 1, Williamson’s Sapsucker – 1, Red-naped Sapsucker – 4, Hairy Woodpecker – 4, Northern Flicker – 6, Olive-sided Flycatcher – 2, Western Wood-Pewee – 4, Hammond’s Flycatcher – 1, Dusky Flycatcher – 4, Cordilleran Flycatcher – 4, Plumbeous Vireo – 2, Warbling Vireo – 2, Steller’s Jay – 4, Black-billed Magpie – 1, Clark’s Nutcracker – 3, American Crow – 2, Common Raven – 2, Northern Rough-winged Swallow – 2, Tree Swallow – 6, Violet-green Swallow – 12, Barn Swallow – 4, Cliff Swallow – 2, Mountain Chickadee – 4, White-breasted Nuthatch – 4, Pygmy Nuthatch – 8, Brown Creeper – 2, Rock Wren – 1, House Wren – 4, Western Bluebird – 4, Mountain Bluebird – 8, Townsend’s Solitaire – 1, Hermit Thrush – 2, American Robin – 8, Gray Catbird – 1, European Starling – zillions, Yellow Warbler – 6, Yellow-rumped Warbler – 1, MacGillivray’s Warbler – 1, Common Yellowthroat – 2, Yellow-breasted Chat – 1, Green-tailed Towhee – 4, Spotted Towhee – 2, Chipping Sparrow – 6, Fox Sparrow – 1, Song Sparrow – 6, Lincoln’s Sparrow – 2, Dark-eyed Junco – 6, Western Tanager – 4, Black-headed Grosbeak – 8, Red-winged Blackbird – 6, Yellow-headed Blackbird – 1, Common Grackle – 4, Brown-headed Cowbird – 16, Cassin’s Finch – 3, Red Crossbill – 4, Pine Siskin – 4, Lesser Goldfinch – 6, American Goldfinch – 4, Evening Grosbeak – 6.

August 3: Kiowa Creek Sanctuary, led by Jeannie Mitchell

It was beautiful day in the forest today! Seven participants saw a total of 29 species of birds. Highlights included Virginia Rail and Sora chicks! The Great Horned Owl also made an appearance, as did a coyote!

Birds: Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Mountain Chickadee, American Crow, Steller’s Jay, Mourning Dove, Great Horned Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Say’s Phoebe (right), Western-wood Pewee, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Pygmy Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Sora, Virginia Rail, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, American Robin, Western Bluebird, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker.

September 17, 2011: Aiken Canyon, led by Risë Foster-Bruder

It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny and 7 people hiked Aiken Canyon. Birds were scarce but the views made it a worthwhile morning. And after seeing both the Clark’s Nutcracker and the Lewis’s Woodpecker—we had a Lewis & Clark day!

Birds: American Crow, Canada Goose, Chipping Sparrow, Blue Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch (H), Common Raven, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Green-tailed Towhee, Lark Bunting, Vesper Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Western Scrub Jay, Black-billed Magpie, Spotted Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-capped Chickadee, Hermit Thrush, American Robin (H), Hummer species, Downy Woodpecker, Empid. species flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher—and across Hwy 115 at Turkey Creek, Lewis’s Woodpecker, House Finch and Western Bluebird.

On the way out, we found a “funny” sparrow. Our best guess on this bird is a leucistic Vesper Sparrow (see photo above left).

September 28, 2011: Kiowa Creek Sanctuary, led by Jeannie Mitchell

Kiowa Creek Sanctuary nature hike, September 28, 2011. A total of 15 participants hiked the property on an absolutely beautiful day!

We had 15 species of birds (see below); two mule deer, and three coyotes! The sunflower at right is sporting a Mormon Cricket.

Birds: Red-winged Blackbird, Mountain Chickadee, Black-billed Magpie, Steller’s Jay, Mourning Dove, Red-tailed Hawk, House Finch, Broad-tailed Hummingbird (H), Pygmy Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow, Western Bluebird, Turkey Vulture, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker.

October 5, 2011: Chico Basin Ranch, led by John Drummond

As usual, John’s trip turned up some spectacular birds, with a rare Le Conte’s Sparrow the highlight of the day (photo at right by Jeannie Mitchell). A Swamp Sparrow (left) lurking in the high grasses near the Russian Olives was runner-up, providing a lifer for many of the trip’s participants.